QA in IT outsourcing: How to ensure the quality of deliverables?

Various companies consider hiring IT outsourcing services as a strategy to obtain support both in their daily operations and in specific projects. However, despite recognizing the potential benefits, many are hesitant due to uncertainty about how to validate the quality of the results they will receive.

The central concern lies in avoiding waste of time and financial resources, prioritizing excellence and effectiveness in the delivery of services. These companies greatly value quality above all, seeking guarantees and evaluation methodologies that provide them with the assurance that collaboration with an IT outsourcing provider will not only meet their expectations, but will also add tangible value to their operations and strategic projects. 

How to validate the quality of the deliverables of an IT outsourcing team

Validating the quality of the deliverables of an IT outsourcing team is essential to guarantee the success of the collaboration.

Here are some strategies and best practices to carry out this validation:

• Define clear expectations

Before starting any project, it is crucial to establish clear and detailed expectations in terms of quality, functionality and deadlines with the IT outsourcing team. A well-defined agreement will provide a solid basis for evaluating the deliverables.

• Service Level Agreements (SLA)

Establish clear SLAs that describe specific performance and quality metrics. This may include IT outsourcing team response times, service levels and other key performance indicators (KPIs) that facilitate objective measurement of the outsourcing team's performance.

“SLAs are an integral part of a contract with an IT provider. An SLA brings together information about all contracted services and their agreed expected reliability into a single document. They clearly establish metrics, responsibilities and expectations so that, in the event of service problems, neither party can claim ignorance. It guarantees that both parties have the same understanding of the requirements”, they detailed on the subject in an article in CIO magazine.

• Periodic reviews

Conduct periodic reviews and follow-up meetings to evaluate the progress and results obtained by the IT outsourcing team. These reviews provide the opportunity to address any issues or deviations early, before they significantly impact the project.

• Quality tests

Implement quality testing during development and before final delivery. This may include functionality testing, performance testing, security testing, and any other type of evaluation that is relevant to the project objectives.

• Sample portfolio and references

Request samples of the IT outsourcing team's previous work and references from previous clients. This provides insight into the quality of your work and your ability to meet industry standards.

• Continuous monitoring

Implement continuous monitoring tools and systems to evaluate performance in real time. This can include project tracking tools, release management tools, and code quality monitoring systems.

“You must continually monitor project progress and quality metrics throughout the development lifecycle. Because continuous monitoring helps you detect problems and discrepancies in real time. This early detection allows us to act quickly to address problems before they worsen”, they emphasized in a LinkedIn article.

• End User Feedback

Get direct feedback from end users, if possible. This can help evaluate usability, user experience, and overall satisfaction with the IT outsourcing team's deliverables.

“Without getting user feedback early and often, you risk wasting time and money developing something that doesn't address a genuine customer need. Instead, you should prioritize discovering what your customers want and what they don't want,” they commented in a Forbes article.

• Team competency assessment

Ensure that the IT outsourcing team has the necessary skills and competencies for the project. This may involve reviewing certifications, work experience, and team training.

• Scalability and flexibility

Evaluate the outsourcing team's ability to adapt to changes and scale according to project needs. The ability to quickly adjust resources as needed is critical to maintaining quality on dynamic projects.

• Safety assessment

In projects that involve sensitive data, it is crucial to evaluate the security measures implemented by the IT outsourcing team to protect the information.

By implementing these strategies, companies can have a more comprehensive and effective approach to validating the quality of an IT outsourcing team's deliverables, ensuring that they meet established standards and requirements.

Do you need an IT outsourcing team to develop your next software project? At Rootstack, we have +13 years of experience supporting companies in their digital transformation. Contact us.

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